Life-saving Durham scientist honoured by University of Sunderland

A WORLD-RENOWNED scientist has been honoured for his work to help save thousands of lives.

Professor Sir Graham Teasdale received the accolade from the University of Sunderland.

The neurosurgeon invented the Glasgow Coma Scale, which is currently used in hospitals worldwide to measure the progress of head injury victims.

Prof Teasdale received his Honorary Doctorate of Science from the Chancellor Steve Cram in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of neuroscience and neurosurgery.

Born in County Durham, Prof Teasdale trained at Durham Medical School before moving onto the Institute of Neurological Sciences Glasgow.

Professor Teasdale also established the risk of early complications, enabling guidelines that reduced mortality and disability; he helped establish the mechanisms that cause brain damage and established for the first time how chronic conditions can stem from apparently mild injuries.

He was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2006 New Year Honours list for services to neurosurgery and victims of head injuries. He also founded the European Brain Injury Consortium and the International Neurotrauma Society and was President of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons.

He said: “It’s a tremendous day for me and my family. It shows a complete circle for me as this is where it all started, and coming back here to receive this award is something special and a tremendous meaningful occasion.

“My whole attitude, beliefs and philosophy stems from my time growing up in the North East and its society. This region is full of wonderful people, it is great to reconnect and I’m immensely proud.”

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Fidler says: “Professor Sir Graham Teasdale has made highly significant contributions within the world of science and will inspire our graduates as they celebrate their academic success and embark on their careers. We are proud to pay tribute to him.”